Multi-modal vehicle door handle

ABSTRACT

A door handle includes a handle body with an external surface, an internal portion, and a mounting feature configured to couple the handle body to a door. The door handle also includes a force sensing element disposed in the internal portion of the handle body. The first force sensing element is configured to measure a force applied to the external surface of the door handle. The door handle further includes a communication element coupled to the force sensing element. The force measured by the force sensing element is used to determine an output function.

FIELD

The embodiments discussed herein are related to a multi-modal vehicledoor handle.

BACKGROUND

Modern vehicle entry (e.g., keyless entry) typically includes acombination of wireless security authentication and physical touchsensors on the external vehicle door handle. The physical touch sensorstypically are use either mechanical switches or capacitive based touchsensors. Mechanical switches often physically protrude from the doorhandle surface and have reliability issues. Capacitive based touchsensors typically are not compatible with glove operation and often donot offer rejection of an unintentional touch.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described above. Rather, this background is only provided toillustrate one example technology area where at least one embodimentdescribed herein may be practiced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example vehicle door handle with one or more forcesensing elements arranged with respect to the vehicle door handle;

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for dynamic force detection and measurement,computational processing of dynamic force detection and measurement andinteractive functional control of the vehicle entry, where the functionsinclude but not limited to door locking/latching orunlocking/unlatching;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of dynamic force detection andmeasurement, computational processing of dynamic force detection andmeasurement, and interactive functional control of the vehicle entrywhere the functions include but not limited to door locking/latching orunlocking/unlatching, and interactive control of haptic feedback profilefor haptic feedback elements;

FIG. 4 illustrates physical topology of an example arrangement of one ormore force sensing elements and one or more haptic feedback elements ona vehicle door handle; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer system, allaccording to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Modern vehicle entry (e.g., keyless entry) typically uses a combinationof wireless security authentication and physical touch sensors on theexternal vehicle door handle. The physical touch sensors typically areuse either mechanical switches or capacitive based touch sensors.Mechanical switches often physically protrude from the door handlesurface and have reliability issues. Capacitive based touch sensorstypically are not compatible with glove operation and often do not offerrejection of an unintentional touch.

Conventional external door handles typically use mechanical switches orcapacitive based touch sensors. Conventional mechanical external doorhandles may have a variety of limitations, including physicalprotrusion(s) on the door handle surface, mechanical calibration ofpre-load in door handle assembly, reduced reliability and durability dueto wear and tear in exposure to harsh environment, limited to singlediscrete triggering level: “on” or “off”, and triggering level may notbe electronically programmable, to name a few of the limitations.Similarly, drawbacks for conventional external door handles withcapacitive based touch sensors may include incompatibility with gloveoperation, lack or robust rejection of unintentional triggering inexposure to rain or water, limited to single discrete triggering level:“on” or “off” to name of few of the limitations.

Aspects of the present disclosure may, in some embodiments, provideimprovements to conventional vehicle door handles through design andimplementation of force sensing and haptic feedback within a vehicledoor handle sub-system. In at least some embodiments, one or more forcesensing elements may be included on a vehicle door handle and may beused to detect a combination of physical input modalities, which mayinclude intentional touch, grip or gesture on respective surfaces of thedoor handle. The vehicle door handle may also be configured to providehaptic feedback as a physical output modality corresponding torespective physical input modalities. These physical input and outputmodalities represent vehicle entry functions including but not limitedto door unlatching/unlocking and door latching/locking.

In at least some embodiments, a vehicle door handle may include one ormore force sensing elements which may provide dynamic force detectionand measurement. A system that includes the vehicle door handle mayperform computational processing of dynamic force detection andmeasurement data from each force sensing element to determine discretetouch points, multi-touch points or gestures. The vehicle door handlemay include physical stack-up topology that includes a door handlesurface, interposer with protrusions, one or more force sensingelements, one or more haptic feedback elements and a housing.

In at least one embodiment, a door handle includes a handle body with anexternal surface, an internal portion, and a mounting feature configuredto couple the handle body to a door. The door handle also includes aforce sensing element disposed in the internal portion of the handlebody. The first force sensing element is configured to measure a forceapplied to the external surface of the door handle. The door handlefurther includes a communication element coupled to the force sensingelement. The force measured by the force sensing element is used todetermine an output function.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are explained with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

For purposes of brevity and clarity, descriptions of embodiments of thepresent disclosure are directed to a vehicle door handle, although theembodiments are not limited to a vehicle door handle, to a door handle,or to any other interface device. While aspects of the presentdisclosure will be described in conjunction with the embodimentsprovided herein and in view of the Figures, it will be understood thatthe described or illustrated embodiments are not intended to limit thepresent disclosure to these embodiments. In the following detaileddescription, specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will berecognized by an individual having ordinary skill in the art, i.e. askilled person, that the present disclosure may be practiced withoutspecific details, and/or with multiple details arising from combinationsof aspects of particular embodiments. In a number of instances,well-known systems, methods, procedures, and components have not beendescribed in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of theembodiments of the present disclosure.

Some additional details of these and other embodiments are discussedwith respect to the appended figures in which commonly labeled itemsindicate similar structures unless described otherwise. The drawings arediagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments, and arenot meant to be limiting, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.Throughout the drawings, like numbers generally reference likestructures unless described otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example vehicle door handle 100 with one or moreforce sensing elements 105 arranged with respect to the vehicle doorhandle 100. A force sensing element 105 may be any type of sensor usedto detect and sense force. In at least some embodiments, the forcesensing element 105 may also include a capacitive sensor (e.g., acapacitive touch sensor). The physical and electronic arrangement of theat least one force sensing element 105 may provide detection andmeasurement of an input force profile related to user touch parametersincluding but not limited to discrete touch points, multi-touch pointsand/or gestures. Dynamic force detection and measurement may becompatible with substantially rigid and electrically conductive doorhandle surfaces. The dynamic force detection and measurement data iscomputationally processed to provide interactive functional control ofany vehicle function or operations, such as vehicle entry, where some ofthe example functions include: door locking/latching, doorunlocking/unlatching, trunk locking/latching, driving, braking, or trunkunlocking/unlatching or any other vehicle function.

The haptic feedback element 110 may include a haptic feedback driverand/or a haptic actuator. The haptic feedback driver may receive andprocess input received via the force sensing element 105 and maytranslate the input into a haptic response. The haptic response may beany type of physical, optical (e.g., light-based), or audible, or acombination thereof. The haptic feedback driver may communicate thehaptic response to the haptic actuator. The haptic actuator may performthe haptic response (e.g., provide a vibration, feedback motion, audibleor visual response) via the vehicle door handle 100.

In some embodiments, the vehicle door handle 100 (and/or the forcesensing element) is configured to receive and interpret different inputsfrom an operator of the vehicle door handle. For example, the vehicledoor handle 100 may be configured to receive and interpret differentinputs to control different operations associated with the vehicle, suchas door locking/latching, unlocking/unlatching, starting the vehicleignition, opening a door or trunk, enabling or disabling a vehicle alarmsystem, opening or closing vehicle windows, and the like. In at leastone embodiment, the vehicle door handle 100 may include an externalsurface 115 that is configured to receive force input that may be usedto control various functions.

The vehicle door handle 100 may be configured to provide a differenthaptic response for each different input. For example, the vehicle doorhandle 100 may provide a first vibration pattern to a user in responseto receiving an input to unlock the vehicle doors. The vehicle doorhandle 100 may provide a second vibration pattern in response toreceiving an input to lock the vehicle doors.

The vehicle door handle 100 may include one or more processors, amemory, and network communication capabilities. The one or moreprocessors may be specialized processor that are configured to fitwithin a vehicle door handle 100. Further, the one or more processorsmay be configured to only execute instructions and/or operations relatedto various inputs received at the vehicle door handle 100, interpretingthe received inputs into a vehicle function and for providing and/ordriving a haptic output related to the vehicle function.

In some embodiments, the vehicle door handle 100 is in electricalcommunication (e.g., wired, wireless) with a processor of a vehicle towhich the vehicle door handle 100 may be attached. In such instances,the vehicle door handle 100 may receive force input from a force sensingelement 105, communicate the force input to the vehicle processor, andreceive an instruction to provide a particular haptic output. Theprocessor of the vehicle may generate another instruction for adifferent component to perform a function related to the force input.

In at least some embodiments, the vehicle door handle 100 includes aspecialized processor that may receive force input from a force sensingelement 105, communicate the force input to a vehicle processor, receivean instruction to provide a particular haptic output, and provide asignal or message to a haptic driver to provide the haptic output.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate flow diagrams that may be used in conjunction witha vehicle door handle. The methods of FIGS. 2-3 may be performed byprocessing logic that may include hardware (circuitry, dedicated logic,etc.), software (such as is run on a general purpose computer system ora dedicated machine), or a combination of both, which processing logicmay be included in a computer system or device. For simplicity ofexplanation, methods described herein are depicted and described as aseries of acts. However, acts in accordance with this disclosure mayoccur in various orders and/or concurrently, and with other acts notpresented and described herein. Further, not all illustrated acts may berequired to implement the methods in accordance with the disclosedsubject matter. In addition, those skilled in the art will understandand appreciate that the methods may alternatively be represented as aseries of interrelated states via a state diagram or events.Additionally, the methods disclosed in this specification are capable ofbeing stored on an article of manufacture, such as a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium, to facilitate transporting and transferringsuch methods to computing devices. The term article of manufacture, asused herein, is intended to encompass a computer program accessible fromany computer-readable device or storage media. Although illustrated asdiscrete blocks, various blocks may be divided into additional blocks,combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desiredimplementation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method 200 for dynamic force detection andmeasurement, computational processing of dynamic force detection andmeasurement and interactive functional control of the vehicle entry,where the functions include but are not limited to door locking/latchingor unlocking/unlatching. Computational processing of dynamic forcedetection and measurement data from each force sensing element may beused to determine a discrete touch point or gesture.

The method of FIG. 2 may begin at block 205, where the processing logicmay detect a force via a vehicle door handle. The force may be detectedusing force sensing element 105, as described in conjunction with FIG.1.

At block 210, the processing logic may measure the force detected atblock 205. In some embodiments, the processing logic may detect amagnitude and a direction of the force. Based on the input force, theprocessing logic may determine an input force profile related to usertouch parameters including but not limited to discrete touch points,multi-touch points and/or gestures.

At block 215, the processing logic may compute force sensing data todetermine whether the detected force or input force profile correspondsto an available vehicle function. For example, the input force profilemay correspond to a swipe from left to right, which may correspond tounlocking the doors of a vehicle. The processing logic may identify thistype of relationship between the detected force and/or input forceprofile and a valid and available vehicle function.

At block 220, the processing logic may analyze the input force profileand may determine an output function. For example, the processing logicmay determine that the input force profile corresponds to particularhaptic output (as further described in conjunction with FIG. 3). In atleast one embodiment, the input force profile may correlate to an outputfunction. The correlation may be stored in a data storage, such as adatabase. The processing logic may use the input force profile as acorrelation key to identify (e.g., look up) the corresponding outputfunction or functions. In at least one embodiment, the processing logicmay generate the correlation key based on the input force profile, suchas by taking a hash of the input force profile or raw force sensing datato generate the correlation key. In at least one embodiment, theprocessing logic may analyze the input force profile to determine abutton and a whether a force threshold has been met. For example, anoutput function may correspond to force on the particular button that isabove a minimum force threshold. For example, a button may be physicallywired to a predetermined input terminal. The processing logic maydetermine that force data received at that predetermined input terminalcorrespond to the particular button. Forces applied to the button thatare below the minimum force threshold may not activate the outputfunction. In at least one embodiment, the force profile may also includelocation data as well as force data. For a force sensing array, alocation of the force input on the array may be used to determine theoutput function. For example, a first area of a door handle maycorrespond to a trunk open function for a car, a second area of the doorhandle may correspond to an unlock and/or lock function and a third areaof the door handle may correspond to an open and/or close function forthe door itself.

At block 225, the processing logic may activate the output function. Inat least some embodiments, the output function is a haptic response andthe processing logic may provide the haptic response, via the vehicleand/or via the vehicle door handle. In at least one embodiment, theprocessing logic may cause a haptic driver and/or haptic actuator toprovide the haptic response.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 300 of dynamic forcedetection and measurement, computational processing of dynamic forcedetection and measurement, and interactive functional control of thevehicle entry where the functions include but not limited to doorlocking/latching or unlocking/unlatching, and interactive control ofhaptic feedback profile for haptic feedback elements.

The method of FIG. 3 may begin at block 305 where the processing logicmay detect a force via a vehicle door handle. The force may be detectedusing a force sensing element, as described in conjunction with FIG. 1.

At block 310, the processing logic may measure the force detected atblock 305. In some embodiments, the processing logic may detect forceamplitude. At block 315, the processing logic may compute force sensingdata parameters including but not limited to rise time, fall time andpulse width corresponding to the input force profile.

At block 320, the processing logic may analyze the force sensing dataand may determine an output function. For example, the processing logicmay determine that the detected force corresponds to an availablevehicle function.

At block 325, the processing logic may determine a haptic output profilethat corresponds with the vehicle function determined at block 320. Thevehicle function may correspond to a particular haptic output profile.For example, a vehicle function of starting an ignition may correspondto a particular haptic output profile that indicates to a user who isholding the vehicle door handle, that the vehicle door handle receivedthe input force that corresponds to starting the ignition of thevehicle. At block 330, the processing logic may active the haptic outputprofile, via the vehicle or via another component attached to thevehicle.

FIG. 4 illustrates physical topology 400 of an example arrangement ofone or more force sensing elements 405 and one or more haptic feedbackelements 410 on a vehicle door handle 415. A distributed arrangement ofmultiple force sensing elements 405 may provide spatially aware (orspatially selective) force sensing. For example, a gap may exist betweenforce sensing elements 405 and other components that may connect to theforce sensing elements 405 to provide force isolation, as illustrated bythe gap 440. The haptic feedback elements 410 may be physically arrangedto provide haptic feedback in close physical proximity to the respectiveforce sensing elements 405 while still providing a decoupled mechanicalpath between input force application and haptic feedback. In at leastone embodiment, a force concentrator or actuator 420 may be disposedbetween an external surface 115 and a force sensing element 405. Theforce concentrator or actuator 420 can be used to attenuate or damp thetransmitted force from the external surface onto the force sensingelement 405. Different types and configurations of force concentratorsor actuators can be used to provide different attenuation or damping ofthe transmitted force.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer system 500 toreceive input and determine an output, according to at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle door handle of FIG. 2may be implemented as a computing system such as the example computersystem 500. In other embodiments, the vehicle door handle communicatesreceived force data to a computing system such as the example computersystem 500. The vehicle door handle may also receive a command toexecute an output function from a computing system such as the examplecomputer system 500. The computer system 500 may be configured toimplement one or more operations of the present disclosure.

The computer system 500 executes one or more sets of instructions 526that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein. The machine may operate in the capacity of a server ora client machine in client-server network environment, or as a peermachine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. Themachine may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box(STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a webappliance, a server, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machinecapable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise)that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only asingle machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken toinclude any collection of machines that individually or jointly executethe sets of instructions 526 to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 500 includes a processor 502, a main memory 504(e.g., read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic random accessmemory (DRAM) such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) or Rambus DRAM (RDRAM),etc.), a static memory 506 (e.g., flash memory, static random accessmemory (SRAM), etc.), and a data storage device 516, which communicatewith each other via a bus 508. The processor 502 represents one or moregeneral-purpose processing devices such as a microprocessor, centralprocessing unit, or the like. More particularly, the processor 502 maybe a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, reducedinstruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, very long instructionword (VLIW) microprocessor, or a processor implementing otherinstruction sets or processors implementing a combination of instructionsets. The processor 502 may also be one or more special-purposeprocessing devices such as an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signalprocessor (DSP), network processor, or the like. The processor 502 isconfigured to execute instructions for performing the operations andsteps discussed herein.

The computer system 500 may further include a network interface device522 that provides communication with other machines over a network 518,such as a local area network (LAN), an intranet, an extranet, or theInternet. The network interface device 522 may include any number ofphysical or logical interfaces. The network interface device 522 mayinclude any device, system, component, or collection of componentsconfigured to allow or facilitate communication between networkcomponents in a network. For example, the network interface device 522may include, without limitation, a modem, a network card (wireless orwired), an infrared communication device, an optical communicationdevice, a wireless communication device (such as an antenna), and/orchipset (such as a Bluetooth device, an 802.11 device (e.g. MetropolitanArea Network (MAN)), a WiFi device, a WiMax device, cellularcommunication facilities, etc.), and/or the like. The network interfacedevice 522 may permit data to be exchanged with a network (such as acellular network, a WiFi network, a MAN, an optical network, etc., toname a few examples) and/or any other devices described in the presentdisclosure, including remote devices. In at least one embodiment, thenetwork interface device 522 may be logical distinctions on a singlephysical component, for example, multiple communication streams across asingle physical cable or optical signal.

The computer system 500 also may include a display device 510 (e.g., aliquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), analphanumeric input device 512 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 514 (e.g., a mouse), and a signal generation device 520 (e.g., aspeaker).

The data storage device 516 may include a computer-readable storagemedium 524 on which is stored the sets of instructions 526 embodying anyone or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The setsof instructions 526 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 504 and/or within the processor 502 duringexecution thereof by the computer system 500, the main memory 504 andthe processor 502 also constituting computer-readable storage media. Thesets of instructions 526 may further be transmitted or received over thenetwork 518 via the network interface device 522.

While the example of the computer-readable storage medium 524 is shownas a single medium, the term “computer-readable storage medium” mayinclude a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized ordistributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that storethe sets of instructions 526. The term “computer-readable storagemedium” may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding orcarrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and thatcause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of thepresent disclosure. The term “computer-readable storage medium” mayinclude, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical media, andmagnetic media.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the computersystem 500 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.For example, in at least one embodiment, the computer system 500 mayinclude any number of other components that may not be explicitlyillustrated or described.

In one aspect, a door handle includes a handle body includes an externalsurface, an internal portion, and a mounting feature configured tocouple the handle body to a door. The device further includes a firstforce sensing element disposed in the internal portion of the handlebody, the first force sensing element being configured to measure afirst force applied to the external surface of the door handle. Thedevice further includes a communication element coupled to the forcesensing element, the communication element being configured to send thefirst force measured by the force sensing element to a processingdevice.

Implementations can include any, all, or none of the following features.The door handle can include a haptic emission element configured toproduce a haptic emission in response to the first force sensing elementmeasuring the first force being applied to the external surface of thedoor handle. The door handle can include a second force sensing elementbeing disposed at a distal location of the internal portion of thehandle body. The first force sensing element can be disposed at aproximal location of the internal portion of the handle body. The firstforce can be applied to the external surface of the door handle near theproximal location of the internal portion of the handle body, the firstforce sensing element being configured to detect the first force nearthe proximal location of the internal portion of the handle body. Theapplication of the first force to the external surface of the doorhandle can be moved along the external surface from near the proximallocation of the internal portion of the handle body to a location nearthe distal location of the internal portion of the handle body, thesecond force sensing element being configured to detect the first forcenear the distal location of the internal portion of the handle body. Themagnitude of the first force measured by the first force sensing elementdecreases as the application of the first force moves along the externalsurface toward the distal location of the internal portion of the handlebody. The magnitude of the first force can be measured by the secondforce sensing element increases as the application of the first forcemoves along the external surface toward the distal location of theinternal portion of the handle body. The second force sensing elementcan be configured to detect a second force near the distal location ofthe internal portion of the handle body. The first force and the secondforce correspond can be inputs that correspond to a predetermined outputfunction.

In one aspect, a method includes detecting, by a force sensing element,a force on an external surface of a door handle. The method furtherincludes determining an input force profile based on the force detectedon the external surface of the door handle. The input force profilecorresponds to a predetermined user input. The method further includesdetermining an output function based on the predetermined user input.The method further includes activating the output function.

Implementations can include any, all, or none of the following features.The output function can include a haptic output. Activating the outputfunction can include causing a haptic element to provide the hapticoutput via the door handle. The door handle can be a handle of a door ofa vehicle. The output function can include a function related to acomponent of the vehicle other than the door. The door handle can beconfigured such that the external surface of the door handle does notextend beyond a body of the vehicle. The door handle can be configuredto move between at least two positions. The external surface of the doorhandle does not extend beyond the body of the vehicle when in a firstposition and wherein the external surface of the door handle extendsbeyond the body of the vehicle when in a second position.

In one aspect, a system includes a handle body includes an externalsurface, an internal portion, and a mounting feature configured tocouple the handle body to a door. The system further includes a firstforce sensing element disposed in the internal portion of the handlebody, the first force sensing element being configured to measure afirst force applied to the external surface of the door handle. Thesystem further includes a memory. The system further includes aprocessing device operatively coupled to the memory. The processingdevice is in electronic communication with the force sensing element.The processing device is configured to perform operations includesreceive the first force applied to the external surface of the handlebody from the first force sensing element. The system further includesdetermine an output function based on the first force applied to theexternal surface of the door handle. The system further includes causethe output function to be performed.

Implementations can include any, all, or none of the following features.The system can include a haptic emission element in electroniccommunication with the processing device. The output function caninclude a haptic emission. When causing the output function to beperformed, the processing device can be configured to generate aninstruction for the haptic emission element to produce the hapticemission. The system can include a second force sensing element beingdisposed at a distal location of the internal portion of the handlebody. The first force sensing element can be disposed at a proximallocation of the internal portion of the handle body. The first force canbe applied to the external surface of the handle body near the proximallocation of the internal portion of the handle body, the first forcesensing element being configured to detect the first force near theproximal location of the internal portion of the handle body. Theapplication of the first force to the external surface of the handlebody can be moved along the external surface from near the proximallocation of the internal portion of the handle body to a location nearthe distal location of the internal portion of the handle body, thesecond force sensing element being configured to detect the first forcenear the distal location of the internal portion of the handle body. Themagnitude of the first force measured by the first force sensing elementdecreases as the application of the first force moves along the externalsurface toward the distal location of the internal portion of the handlebody. The magnitude of the first force can be measured by the secondforce sensing element increases as the application of the first forcemoves along the external surface toward the distal location of theinternal portion of the handle body. The second force sensing elementcan be configured to detect a second force near the distal location ofthe internal portion of the handle body.

As used in the present disclosure, the terms “module” or “component” mayrefer to specific hardware implementations configured to perform theactions of the module or component and/or software objects or softwareroutines that may be stored on and/or executed by general purposehardware (e.g., computer-readable media, processing devices, etc.) ofthe computing system. In at least one embodiment, the differentcomponents, modules, engines, and services described in the presentdisclosure may be implemented as objects or processes that execute onthe computing system (e.g., as separate threads). While some of thesystem and methods described in the present disclosure are generallydescribed as being implemented in software (stored on and/or executed bygeneral purpose hardware), specific hardware implementations or acombination of software and specific hardware implementations are alsopossible and contemplated. In the present disclosure, a “computingentity” may be any computing system as previously defined in the presentdisclosure, or any module or combination of modulates running on acomputing system.

Terms used in the present disclosure and especially in the appendedclaims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as“open” terms (e.g., the term “including” may be interpreted as“including, but not limited to,” the term “having” may be interpreted as“having at least,” the term “includes” may be interpreted as “includes,but is not limited to,” etc.).

Additionally, if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation isintended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and inthe absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example,as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may containusage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” tointroduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases may not beconstrued to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by theindefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containingsuch introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” may be interpreted to mean “at least one” or“one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articlesused to introduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitationis explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that suchrecitation may be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g.,the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, meansat least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, inthose instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B,and C, etc.” or “one or more of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended to include A alone, B alone, C alone, Aand B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and Ctogether, etc.

Further, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or morealternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, maybe understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of theterms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A orB” may be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “Aand B.”

All examples and conditional language recited in the present disclosureare intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understandingthe invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furtheringthe art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to suchspecifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described in detail, various changes,substitutions, and alterations may be made hereto without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A door handle comprising: a handle bodycomprising an external surface, an internal portion, and a mountingfeature configured to couple the handle body to a door; a first forcesensing element disposed in the internal portion of the handle body, thefirst force sensing element being configured to measure a first forceapplied to the external surface of the door handle; and a communicationelement coupled to the force sensing element, the communication elementbeing configured to send the first force measured by the force sensingelement to a processing device.
 2. The door handle of claim 1 furthercomprising a haptic emission element configured to produce a hapticemission in response to the first force sensing element measuring thefirst force being applied to the external surface of the door handle. 3.The door handle of claim 1 further comprising a second force sensingelement being disposed at a distal location of the internal portion ofthe handle body, wherein the first force sensing element is disposed ata proximal location of the internal portion of the handle body.
 4. Thedoor handle of claim 3, wherein the first force is applied to theexternal surface of the door handle near the proximal location of theinternal portion of the handle body, the first force sensing elementbeing configured to detect the first force near the proximal location ofthe internal portion of the handle body.
 5. The door handle of claim 4,wherein the application of the first force to the external surface ofthe door handle is moved along the external surface from near theproximal location of the internal portion of the handle body to alocation near the distal location of the internal portion of the handlebody, the second force sensing element being configured to detect thefirst force near the distal location of the internal portion of thehandle body.
 6. The door handle of claim 5, wherein the magnitude of thefirst force measured by the first force sensing element decreases as theapplication of the first force moves along the external surface towardthe distal location of the internal portion of the handle body, whereinthe magnitude of the first force is measured by the second force sensingelement increases as the application of the first force moves along theexternal surface toward the distal location of the internal portion ofthe handle body.
 7. The door handle of claim 3, wherein the second forcesensing element is configured to detect a second force near the distallocation of the internal portion of the handle body.
 8. The door handleof claim 7, wherein the first force and the second force correspond areinputs that correspond to a predetermined output function.
 9. A method,comprising: detecting, by a force sensing element, a force on anexternal surface of a door handle; determining an input force profilebased on the force detected on the external surface of the door handle,wherein the input force profile corresponds to a predetermined userinput; determining an output function based on the predetermined userinput; and activating the output function.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the output function includes a haptic output, wherein activatingthe output function includes causing a haptic element to provide thehaptic output via the door handle.
 11. The method of claim 9, whereinthe door handle is a handle of a door of a vehicle, wherein the outputfunction includes a function related to a component of the vehicle otherthan the door.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the door handle isconfigured such that the external surface of the door handle does notextend beyond a body of the vehicle.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinthe door handle is configured to move between at least two positions,wherein the external surface of the door handle does not extend beyondthe body of the vehicle when in a first position and wherein theexternal surface of the door handle extends beyond the body of thevehicle when in a second position.
 14. A system, comprising: a handlebody comprising an external surface, an internal portion, and a mountingfeature configured to couple the handle body to a door; a first forcesensing element disposed in the internal portion of the handle body, thefirst force sensing element being configured to measure a first forceapplied to the external surface of the door handle; a memory; and aprocessing device operatively coupled to the memory, wherein theprocessing device is in electronic communication with the force sensingelement, wherein the processing device is configured to performoperations comprising: receive the first force applied to the externalsurface of the handle body from the first force sensing element;determine an output function based on the first force applied to theexternal surface of the door handle; and cause the output function to beperformed.
 15. The system of claim 14 further comprising a hapticemission element in electronic communication with the processing device,wherein the output function includes a haptic emission, wherein whencausing the output function to be performed, the processing device isconfigured to generate an instruction for the haptic emission element toproduce the haptic emission.
 16. The system of claim 14 furthercomprising a second force sensing element being disposed at a distallocation of the internal portion of the handle body, wherein the firstforce sensing element is disposed at a proximal location of the internalportion of the handle body.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein thefirst force is applied to the external surface of the handle body nearthe proximal location of the internal portion of the handle body, thefirst force sensing element being configured to detect the first forcenear the proximal location of the internal portion of the handle body.18. The system of claim 17, wherein the application of the first forceto the external surface of the handle body is moved along the externalsurface from near the proximal location of the internal portion of thehandle body to a location near the distal location of the internalportion of the handle body, the second force sensing element beingconfigured to detect the first force near the distal location of theinternal portion of the handle body.
 19. The system of claim 18, whereinthe magnitude of the first force measured by the first force sensingelement decreases as the application of the first force moves along theexternal surface toward the distal location of the internal portion ofthe handle body, wherein the magnitude of the first force is measured bythe second force sensing element increases as the application of thefirst force moves along the external surface toward the distal locationof the internal portion of the handle body.
 20. The system of claim 16,wherein the second force sensing element is configured to detect asecond force near the distal location of the internal portion of thehandle body.